Carrick won the U.15 Connacht cup final at the Dexcom Stadium on Sunday when they overcame a gallant and spirited Buccaneers side by 17 points to 10.
Buccaneers took the game to Carrick from the start, competed for every ball and keeping Carrick under constant pressure but in some way, this Carrick team kept their heads and won their 3rd Connacht Cup.
It wasn’t that Carrick did not play well but that Buccaneers simply did not allow Carrick play their trademark game. Carrick showed immense character to win this final.
Playing against the wind in the first half, Carrick were the first to attack but good defence by Buccaneers kept their try line intact. Carrick were not allowed to settle and Buccaneers took the game to Carrick and were showing some great promise but Carrick kept them at bay, just about!
On fifteen minutes Daniel O’Connell saved the day with a wonderful try saving tackle. Minutes later he was on hand to score the games first try after some great work by Shane McGirl had given Carrick their second attacking platform of the match. To say that O’Connell’s try was against the run of play would be an understatement.
Buccaneers came roaring back and on twenty five minutes scored a try that was converted to make the score 7-5.
Then, just before half time, Buccaneers hit the post with a penalty and were very unlucky not to score a try when they collected the rebound and their winger was unable to hold on to a well placed cross field kick.
Half time score 7-5 to Buccaneers.
Buccaneers started the 2nd half with the same intent, their players reading the game much the better and extended their lead to 10-5 after kicking a penalty.
Then after a rare attack by Carrick, Buccaneers went to clear their lines but the kick was charged down by Sean McTeigue and the end result was Aidan McNamara scoring a try which was converted by Harry Hanrahan, 12-10 Carrick.
Buccaneers didn’t panic and attacked again, building up the phases and were in control making good gains until Shane McGirl pounced with a great tackle and with the ball being spilled, he kicked it down the field enabling Carrick to start their own attack which culminated with Nathan Taylor going over for a try, conversion missed, 17-10 to Carrick who then held their nerve to achieve another famous victory.
Great credit must be given to this Carrick side and their coaching team of Nato Zondagh, Sean McKeon and Deon Joubert in winning their third consecutive Connacht title, U.13s in 2024, U.14s in 2025 and now U.15s in 2026 – a magnificient achievement.
A. McNamara, I. Mulvey, L. Durkin, N. Guckian, E. McKeon, S. McTeigue, D. O’Connell, N. Zondagh, Q. Joubert, H. Hanrahan, H. Kiliszek-Sromek, S. McGirl, R. O’ Shaughnessy, J. McGarry, C. McGovern, N. Taylor, A. Sheridan, S. Boyle, R. Murphy, E. Gallagher.
